Selection Criteria for Facilities Notification Software

Buildings magazine has a helpful article on selecting a mass-notification tool for use by building owners and facility managers during emergencies.

Selecting a Mass-Notification System
by Edward Brown III

At the conclusion of the article is a table detailing the advantages of a Software as a Service (SaaS) tool compared to previous technology of Application Service Provider (ASP) and On-Premises installation. The table summarizes benefits in terms of costs, scalability, throughput, upgrades & maintenance, pricing, availability, security, and personnel costs.

As part of integrated messaging capabilities, PropertyTrak includes Notification by email and text messaging, templates for sending new messages quickly, and message logging to record message history. Notification is also available as part of our Incident Management Logging module for emergency preparedness and disaster recovery.

Well-Maintained Facilities Stop Crime Before It Happens

Graffiti study bolsters ‘broken windows’ theory (LA Times)

Dutch researchers find that in the presence of graffiti and trash, people are more likely to commit small crimes.

New study confirms the common sense observation of facility managers that maintaining the environment well encourages people to do the right thing.

Thanks to Eldorado Park Resource Technician blog (Eldorado Canyon State Park) for the article.

Disaster Recovery for Iowa Facilities

Buildings magazine has an impressive, detailed report on the 2008 Iowa floods. Facility managers from 7 different facilities tell what worked and what didn’t in meeting this unprecedented challenge:

1. Mercy Medical Center - By Jana J. Madsen
2. Alliant Energy Tower - By Jenna M. Aker
3. The University of Iowa – By Leah B. Garris
4. City of Cedar Rapids – By Jenna M. Aker
5. Guaranty Bank & Trust - By Linda K. Monroe
6. Quaker Oats – By Jana J. Madsen
7. Cedar River Tower – By Linda K. Monroe